Beware the Blogger

Mea Culpa

Lately, I'm troubled by the growing trend of consultants who use their blogs criticize and critique the work of others, with little or no knowledge of the results or organization they are critiquing.  I am equally guilty of this.  Recently, however, a number of circumstances have given me pause to think about my responsibility as a professional who blogs.

All too often we criticize the work of others with little or no information about the results achieved by the initiative we're critiquing. I have criticized on-line surveys and the "Good Goes" campaign.  While I did write to both parties after I published my blogs, I didn't contact the organizations beforehand to understand their goals, challenges and ultimately - their results. 

Several prominent bloggers do this and each time I'm left to wonder... OK - you didn't like it, but what were the results? If it achieved or surpassed its goals - then who cares what you, me or anyone else thinks?

Walking the Talk

A few weeks ago, someone contacted me on Twitter and wanted me to help them talk about their foundation.  I almost re-tweeted their message... and then I realized, I know nothing about this organization or that country.  I had to decline representing them, because I could not verify that they were a legitimate charitable foundation.  They may well be completely legitimate, but I know nothing of South Africa and I believe I have a responsibility to do some sort of due diligence when I speak publicly on an issue or for an organization.

One well known blogger who frequently criticizes large agency campaigns challenged others to show him their success, rather than choosing to look into their results himself.   I don't think that's right.  It seems to me that it behooves bloggers who represent a profession, to do their homework and at a minimum, contact these organizations and understand what REALLY worked, didn't work and why they made the decisions they did.

Results

When all is said and done - our work is about results. We all have opinions. We don't all have informed opinions and even fewer of us have opinions based directly on the results of the item about which we are writing.

If you're reading a blog and you see opinion based criticisms - be sure to ask... "but what were the results".  If they can't answer, then go ask someone who can... because the only opinion that matters, is the one that is informed by results.

It's time for non profit bloggers to step it up and do a little work. We owe our charities the best we have to offer. We owe it to our readers and our charities, to at least attempt to do a little investigation into the results of an initiative before we jump to critique it.

My Pledge to You

From this point on - I will always attempt to contact the charity or organization I am writing about, before I offer my opinion on their work. I hope more bloggers will adopt the same policy and we can elevate the dialogue and learning potential bloggers offer us.

Comments

[Melissa Winkler]

Great post Laurie. It is so true. Something one person doesn't get or understands may be genious to another. Results are always key. Glad that you pointed this out as it is now stuck in my mind the next time I read a rant, sorry blog. :)

[Laurie]

Thanks for your comment Melissa... glad you enjoyed it :)

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